1
武元衡，字伯蒼，河南緱氏人。 曾祖載德，天后從父弟，官至湖州刺史。 祖平一，善屬文，終考功員外郎、修文館學士，事在《逸人傳》。 父就，殿中侍御史，以元衡貴，追贈吏部侍郎。 元衡進士登第，累辟使府，至監察御史。 後為華原縣令。 時畿輔有鎮軍督將恃恩矜功者，多撓吏民。 元衡苦之，乃稱病去官。 放情事外，沈浮宴詠者久之。 德宗知其才，召授比部員外郎。 一歲，遷左司郎中。 時以詳整稱重。
Wu Yuanheng, whose courtesy name was Bocang, came from Gouyi in Henan. His great-grandfather Zaide was a paternal cousin of Empress Wu and rose to serve as prefect of Huzhou. His grandfather Pingyi was a gifted writer who ultimately held posts in the Ministry of Personnel and at the Hall for Cultivating Literature; his life is recorded in the Biographies of Recluses. His father Jiu had served as a palace censor and, owing to Yuanheng's distinction, was posthumously ennobled as vice minister of personnel. After passing the jinshi examination, Yuanheng served on several military commissioners' staffs before being appointed investigating censor. He was later appointed magistrate of Huayuan County. In the capital region at that time, frontier army generals who traded on imperial favor and their own achievements often bullied local officials and commoners. Distressed by the situation, Yuanheng pleaded illness and resigned. He turned away from office and for a long while lived amid feasting and verse. Emperor Dezong, aware of his ability, recalled him and appointed him supernumerary clerk in the Ministry of Revenue. Within a year he was promoted to director in the left bureau of the Secretariat. He was then widely respected for his meticulous, orderly conduct.
2
貞元二十年，遷御史中丞。 嘗因延英對罷，德宗目送之，指示左右曰：「元衡真宰相器也。」
In Zhenyuan year 20 he was promoted to vice censor-in-chief. Once, as an audience at Yanying Hall ended, Dezong watched him go and told his attendants, "Yuanheng truly has the makings of a chief minister."
3
順宗即位，以病不親政事。 王叔文等使其黨以權利誘元衡，元衡拒之。 時奉德宗山陵，元衡為儀仗使。 監察御史劉禹錫，叔文之黨也，求充儀仗判官。 元衡不與，其黨滋不悅。 數日，罷元衡為右庶子。 憲宗即位，始冊為皇太子，元衡贊引，因識之。 及登極，復拜御史中丞。 持平無私，綱條悉舉，人甚稱重。 尋遷戶部侍郎。 元和二年正月，拜門下侍郎、平章事，賜金紫，兼判戶部事。 上為太子時，知其進退守正，及是用為宰相，甚禮信之。
When Emperor Shunzong came to the throne, illness kept him from handling government in person. Wang Shuwen and his allies sent their followers to tempt Yuanheng with power and profit, but he refused. At the time the court was observing rites for Dezong's burial, and Yuanheng served as commissioner of ceremonial regalia. Investigating censor Liu Yuxi, a member of Shuwen's faction, asked to serve as administrative aide on the ceremonial staff. Yuanheng refused, and their faction grew still more hostile. Within days Yuanheng was demoted to right guardian of the heir apparent. When Emperor Xianzong took the throne and first invested the crown prince, Yuanheng directed the ceremony and thereby came to his notice. Once Xianzong was enthroned, Yuanheng was again made vice censor-in-chief. Impartial and even-handed, he enforced the full body of regulations, and the court held him in high regard. He was soon promoted to vice minister of revenue. In the first month of Yuanhe 2 he was appointed vice director of the Chancellery and chief councilor, awarded the gold-and-purple insignia, and concurrently placed in charge of revenue affairs. As crown prince Xianzong had known Yuanheng's steadfast integrity; now he made him chief minister and treated him with exceptional trust and courtesy.
4
初，浙西節度李錡請入覲，乃拜為右僕射，令入朝。 既而又稱疾，請至歲暮。 上問宰臣，鄭絪請如錡奏。 元衡曰：「不可。 且錡自請入朝，詔既許之，即又稱疾，是可否在錡。 今陛下新臨大寶，天下屬耳目，若使奸臣得遂其私，則威令從茲去矣。」 上以為然，遽追之。 錡果計窮而反。
Earlier Li Qi, military commissioner of Zhexi, had asked leave to come to court and was appointed right vice director of the Secretariat with orders to attend. He then pleaded illness again and asked to postpone his arrival until the end of the year. The emperor consulted the chief ministers, and Zheng Yin urged that Li Qi's request be granted. Yuanheng said, "That cannot be allowed. Li Qi had himself asked to attend court and the throne had already assented; now he pleads illness again—so whether he comes or stays away is entirely up to Li Qi. Your Majesty has only just assumed the throne and all eyes are upon you. If a treacherous minister is allowed his whim, imperial authority will be lost from this day forward. The emperor agreed and at once ordered Li Qi recalled. Li Qi, his schemes exhausted, turned back as expected.
5
先是，高崇文平蜀，因授以節度使。 崇文理軍有法，而不知州縣之政。 上難其代者，乃以元衡代崇文，拜檢校吏部尚書，兼門下侍郎、平章事，充劍南西川節度使。 將行，上御安福門以臨慰之。 高崇文既發成都，盡載其軍資、金帛、帟幕、伎樂、工巧以行。 元衡至，則庶事節約，務以便人。 比三年，公私稍濟。 撫蠻夷，約束明具，不輒生事。 重慎端謹，雖淡於接物，而開府極一時之選。 八年，徵還。 至駱谷，重拜門下侍郎、平章事。
Earlier, after Gao Chongwen pacified Shu, he had been appointed military commissioner of the region. Chongwen governed the army with discipline but knew little of civil administration in the prefectures and counties. Finding it difficult to replace him, the court sent Yuanheng to succeed Chongwen as acting minister of personnel, concurrently vice director of the Chancellery and chief councilor, and military commissioner of Jiannan West Circuit. On the eve of his departure the emperor came to the Gate of Peace and Felicity to see him off and offer encouragement. After Gao Chongwen left Chengdu he removed all his military stores, gold and silk, tents and hangings, musicians, and skilled craftsmen. When Yuanheng arrived he practiced economy in all matters and strove to ease life for the people. Within about three years public and private affairs had gradually improved. He pacified the frontier peoples, laid down clear rules, and did not lightly provoke trouble. Grave, cautious, and proper—though cool in personal relations—his staff appointments ranked among the finest of the age. In year 8 he was recalled to the capital. At Lu Valley he was again appointed vice director of the Chancellery and chief councilor.
6
時李吉甫、李絳情不相葉，各以事理曲直於上前。 元衡居中，無所違附，上稱為長者。 及吉甫卒，上方討淮、蔡，悉以機務委之。 時王承宗遣使奏事，請赦吳元濟。 請事於宰相，辭禮悖慢，元衡叱之。 承宗因飛章詆元衡，咎怨頗結。 元衡宅在靜安裏，十年六月三日，將朝，出裏東門，有暗中叱使滅燭者，導騎訶之，賊射之，中肩。 又有匿樹陰突出者，以棓擊元衡左股。 其徒馭已為賊所格奔逸，賊乃持元衡馬，東南行十餘步害之，批其顱骨懷去。 及眾呼偕至，持火照之，見元衡已踣於血中，即元衡宅東北隅墻之外。 時夜漏未盡，陌上多朝騎及行人，鋪卒連呼十餘里，皆云賊殺宰相，聲達朝堂，百官恟恟，未知死者誰也。 須臾，元衡馬走至，遇人始辨之。 既明，仗至紫宸門，有司以元衡遇害聞。 上震驚，卻朝而坐延英，召見宰相。 惋慟者久之，為之再不食。 冊贈司徒，贈賻布帛五百匹、粟四百碩，輟朝五日，謚曰忠湣。
At the time Li Jifu and Li Jiang were at odds and each argued his case before the throne. Yuanheng stood between them, favoring neither, and the emperor praised him as a man of mature judgment. After Jifu died, while the emperor was campaigning against Huai and Cai, he entrusted all critical affairs to Yuanheng. Wang Chengzong then sent envoys to report affairs and to request an amnesty for Wu Yuanji. When they appeared before the chief ministers their manner was insolent, and Yuanheng rebuked them. Chengzong then sent a memorial defaming Yuanheng, and bitter resentment took root between them. Yuanheng lived in Jing'an Ward. On the third day of the sixth month of year 10, as he set out for court and passed the ward's east gate, a voice in the dark ordered the torches put out; his outriders challenged the speaker, and assassins shot Yuanheng in the shoulder. Another man concealed in the shade of a tree rushed out and struck Yuanheng on the left thigh with a club. His attendants and grooms had already been beaten off and fled; the killers then seized Yuanheng's horse, dragged him more than ten paces to the southeast, and killed him, hacking off his skull and carrying it away. When others rushed up with torches they found Yuanheng fallen in blood just beyond the northeast corner of his compound wall. The night watches had not yet ended; the streets were full of riders bound for court and pedestrians, and patrolmen raised the alarm for more than ten li—all crying that the chief minister had been slain. The clamor reached the palace and officials panicked, not yet knowing who had died. Before long Yuanheng's horse came galloping back, and only then did people realize what had happened. At daybreak the imperial guard reached the Gate of Purple Felicity, and the responsible officials reported Yuanheng's murder. The emperor was shaken, canceled the morning audience, and sat in Yanying Hall to summon the chief ministers. He grieved at length and twice refused his meals. He was posthumously enfeoffed as grand mentor, granted five hundred bolts of cloth and silk and four hundred piculs of grain as funeral gifts, court mourning was suspended for five days, and his posthumous title was Loyal and Lamented.
7
元衡工五言詩，好事者傳之，往往被於管弦。
Yuanheng excelled at pentasyllabic poetry; admirers circulated his verses, and they were often set to music.
8
初，八年，元衡自蜀再輔政，時太白犯上相，歷執法。 占者言：「今之三相皆不利，始輕末重。」 月餘，李絳以足疾免。 明年十月，李吉甫以暴疾卒。 至是，元衡為盜所害，年五十八。 始元衡與吉甫齊年，又同日為宰相。 及出鎮，分領揚、益。 及吉甫再入，元衡亦還。 吉甫先一年以元衡生月卒，元衡後一年以吉甫生月卒。 吉兇之數，若符會焉。 先是，長安謠曰「打麥麥打三三三」，既而旋其袖曰「舞了也」。 解者謂：「打麥」者，打麥時也； 「麥打」者，蓋謂暗中突擊也； 「三三三」，謂六月三日也； 「舞了也」，謂元衡之卒也。 自是京師大恐，城門加衛兵，察其出入，物色伺之。 其偉狀異制、燕趙之音者，多執訊之。 元衡從父弟儒衡。
Earlier, in year 8, when Yuanheng returned from Shu to serve again as chief minister, Venus transgressed the asterism of the chief minister and the offices of law enforcement. Diviners said, "All three chief ministers of the day are ill-fated; the beginning is light and the end heavy. More than a month later Li Jiang was dismissed because of a foot ailment. In the tenth month of the following year Li Jifu died suddenly. By then Yuanheng had been murdered by assassins; he was fifty-eight. From the outset Yuanheng and Jifu were the same age and were appointed chief ministers on the same day. When they went out to command regions, one governed Yangzhou and the other Yizhou. When Jifu returned to the capital, Yuanheng also came back. Jifu died one year earlier in the month of Yuanheng's birth; Yuanheng died one year later in the month of Jifu's birth. The tallies of fortune and misfortune seemed to align as if by design. Earlier a rhyme in Chang'an ran, "Thresh the wheat, wheat thresh three three three," and then, turning up the sleeve, "The dance is done." Interpreters said "thresh the wheat" meant the season of threshing wheat; "wheat thresh" meant a sudden strike from hiding; "three three three" meant the third day of the sixth month; "the dance is done" meant Yuanheng's death. From then on the capital was gripped by fear; guards were added at the gates to inspect those entering and leaving and to watch for suspects. Men of imposing build, unusual dress, or Yan-Zhao accents were often seized and interrogated. Yuanheng had a younger cousin on his father's side named Ruheng.
9
儒衡，字庭碩。 才度俊偉，氣直貌莊，言不妄發，與人交友，終始不渝。 相國鄭余慶不事華潔，後進趨其門者多垢衣敗服，以望其知。 而儒衡謁見，未嘗輒易所好，但與之正言直論，余慶因亦重之。 憲宗以元衡橫死王事，嘗嗟惜之，故待儒衡甚厚。 累遷戶部郎中。 十二年，權知諫議大夫事，尋兼知制誥。 皇甫镈以宰相領度支，剝下以媚上，無敢言其罪者。 儒衡上疏論列，镈密訴其事，帝曰：「勿以儒衡上疏，卿將報怨耶！」 镈不復敢言。
Ruheng, whose courtesy name was Tingshuo. Talented and imposing in bearing, upright in spirit and grave in appearance, he never spoke rashly and in friendship never wavered from first to last. Chief minister Zheng Yuqing shunned lavish display, and many younger men who sought his favor came to his gate in shabby dress to win his notice. Yet when Ruheng visited he never casually changed his own habits but spoke with Yuqing in plain, direct terms, and Yuqing therefore respected him as well. Because Yuanheng had died violently in imperial service, Xianzong had often sighed in regret and therefore treated Ruheng with exceptional favor. He rose through repeated promotions to director in the Ministry of Revenue. In year 12 he was temporarily placed in charge of remonstrance affairs and soon concurrently given charge of drafting edicts. Huangfu Bo, serving as chief minister while heading the treasury, stripped the people to please the throne, and no one dared accuse him. Ruheng submitted a memorial setting forth the abuses; Bo secretly reported the matter, and the emperor said, "Do not treat Ruheng's memorial as grounds for you to settle a grudge! Bo did not dare speak further.
10
儒衡氣岸高雅，論事有風彩，群邪惡之。 尤為宰相令狐楚所忌。 元和末年，垂將大用，楚畏其明俊，欲以計沮之，以離其寵。 有狄兼謨者，梁公仁傑之後，時為襄陽從事。 楚乃自草制詞，召狄兼謨為拾遺，曰：「朕聽政余暇，躬覽國書，知奸臣擅權之由，見母后竊位之事。 我國家神器大寶，將遂傳於他人。 洪惟昊穹，降鑒儲祉，誕生仁傑，保佑中宗，使絕維更張，明辟乃復。 宜福胄胤，與國無窮。」 及兼謨制出，儒衡泣訴於御前，言其祖平一在天后朝辭榮終老，當時不以為累。 憲宗再三撫慰之。 自是薄楚之為人。 然儒衡守道不回，嫉惡太甚，終不至大任。 尋正拜中書舍人。 時元稹依倚內官，得知制誥，儒衡深鄙之。 會食瓜閣下，蠅集於上，儒衡以扇揮之曰：「適從何處來，而遽集於此？」 同僚失色，儒衡意氣自若。 遷禮部侍郎。 長慶四年卒，年五十六。
Ruheng's bearing was lofty and elegant, and when he discussed affairs he had real distinction; the wicked hated him. He was especially hated by chief minister Linghu Chu. Near the end of the Yuanhe reign, as he was about to receive major appointment, Chu feared his brilliance and sought by stratagem to obstruct him and alienate him from favor. There was one Di Jianmo, a descendant of the Duke of Liang Di Renjie, then serving on the staff at Xiangyang. Chu himself drafted an edict and summoned Di Jianmo as remonstrance official, saying, "In my spare hours from hearing government I have myself perused the national records and learned how treacherous ministers seized power and how the empress dowager usurped the throne. The sacred vessel and great treasure of our state were about to be handed on to others. Solemnly did Heaven look down and send down stored blessing: Renjie was born to protect Zhongzong, so that the severed cord was retied and the enlightened ruler was restored. May his descendants be blessed and share the state without end. When Jianmo's draft was issued, Ruheng wept and appealed before the throne, saying that his grandfather Pingyi in the reign of Empress Wu had declined honor and ended his days in retirement without being regarded as a burden on the family. Xianzong repeatedly comforted him. From that point on he held Chu in low esteem. Yet Ruheng held fast to principle without bending, detested wickedness too fiercely, and in the end never rose to high office. He was soon formally appointed drafting secretary in the Secretariat. At the time Yuan Zhen relied on palace eunuchs to win charge of drafting edicts, and Ruheng despised him deeply. Once, while eating melon in a pavilion, flies gathered on it; Ruheng fanned them away and said, "Where have you just come from that you hasten to gather here? His colleagues turned pale, but Ruheng remained perfectly composed. He was promoted to vice minister of rites. In Changqing year 4 he died, aged fifty-six.
11
鄭餘慶，字居業，滎陽人。 祖長裕，官至國子司業，終潁川太守。 長裕弟少微，為中書舍人、刑部侍郎。 兄弟有名於當時。 父慈，與元德秀友善，官至太子舍人。
Zheng Yuqing, whose courtesy name was Juye, came from Xingyang. His grandfather Changyu rose to vice director of the Directorate of Education and ended his career as prefect of Yingchuan. Changyu's younger brother Shaowei served as drafting secretary in the Secretariat and vice minister of justice. The brothers were celebrated in their day. His father Ci was friendly with Yuan Dexiu and rose to serve as attendant of the heir apparent.
12
餘慶少勤學，善屬文。 大歷中舉進士。 建中末，山南節度使嚴震辟為從事，累官殿中侍御史，丁父憂罷。 貞元初入朝，歷左司、兵部員外郎，庫部郎中。 八年，選為翰林學士。
From youth Yuqing studied diligently and was skilled at literary composition. In the Dali reign he passed the jinshi examination. At the end of Jianzhong, Yan Zhen, military commissioner of Shannan, took him onto his staff; he rose to palace attendant censor and left office to mourn his father. Early in Zhenyuan he entered court service, serving as left bureau director, supernumerary clerk in the Ministry of War, and director in the Ministry of Stores. In year 8 he was selected as a Hanlin academician.
13
十三年六月，遷工部侍郎，知吏部選事。 時有玄法寺僧法湊為寺眾所訴，萬年縣尉盧伯達斷還俗，後又復為僧，伯達上表論之。 詔中丞宇文邈、刑部侍郎張彧、大理卿鄭雲逵等三司，與功德使判官諸葛述同按鞫。 時議述胥吏，不合與憲臣等同入省按事。 餘慶上疏論列，當時翕然稱重。
In the sixth month of year 13 he was promoted to vice minister of works and placed in charge of personnel selection. At the time the monk Facou of Xuanshi Temple was sued by his monastic community; Wannian county assistant Lu Boda ruled that he return to lay life, but Facou became a monk again, and Boda submitted a memorial on the matter. An edict ordered Vice Censor-in-Chief Yuwen Yao, Vice Minister of Justice Zhang Yu, Chief Judge Zheng Yunkui, and others of the three offices, together with administrative aide Zhuge Shu of the commissioner of merit, to investigate jointly. Opinion held that Shu was a petty clerk and unfit to enter the ministries with censorial officials to conduct investigations. Yuqing submitted a memorial setting forth the abuses, and the court praised him in unison.
14
十四年，拜中書侍郎、平章事。 餘慶通究《六經》深旨，奏對之際，多以古義傅之。 與度支使於素善，每奏事餘慶皆議可之。 未幾，以罪貶。 時又歲旱人饑，德宗與宰臣議，將賑給禁衛六軍。 事未行，為中書吏所泄，餘慶貶郴州司馬，凡六載。 順宗登極，徵拜尚書左丞。
In year 14 he was appointed vice director of the Secretariat and chief councilor. Yuqing had thoroughly mastered the deep meaning of the Six Classics and in memorials and responses often applied ancient principles. He was on good terms with revenue commissioner Yu Su; whenever Yu memorialized, Yuqing would approve it. Before long Yu was demoted for a crime. At the time drought and famine also afflicted the realm; Dezong discussed with the chief ministers plans to provide relief to the six armies of the palace guard. Before it could be carried out the plan was leaked by a Secretariat clerk; Yuqing was demoted to assistant prefect of Chenzhou for six years. When Shunzong ascended the throne, Yuqing was summoned and appointed left vice minister of the Secretariat.
15
憲宗嗣位之月，又擢守本官、平章事。 未幾，屬夏州將楊惠琳阻命，宰臣等論奏，多議兵事。 餘慶復以古義上言，夏州軍士皆仰給縣官，又有「介馬萬蹄」之語。 時議以餘慶雖好古博雅而未適時。 有主書滑渙，久司中書簿籍，與內官典樞密劉光琦情通。 宰相議事，與光琦異同者，令渙達意，未嘗不遂所欲。 宰相杜佑、鄭絪皆姑息之。 議者雲佑私呼為滑八，四方書幣貲貨，充集其門，弟泳官至刺史。 及餘慶再入中書，與同僚集議。 渙指陳是非，餘慶怒其僭，叱之。 尋而餘慶罷相，為太子賓客。 其年八月，渙贓汙發，賜死。 上浸聞餘慶叱渙事，甚重之，乃改為國子祭酒，尋拜河南尹。 三年，檢校兵部尚書，兼東都留守。 六年四月，正拜兵部尚書。
In the month Xianzong succeeded to the throne, Yuqing was again promoted to his former office and made chief councilor. Before long Xiazhou commander Yang Huilin defied orders; when the chief ministers discussed the matter, most spoke of military affairs. Yuqing again spoke from ancient precedent, noting that Xiazhou soldiers all depended on the state for provisions and citing the phrase "ten thousand hooves of relay horses." Opinion held that although Yuqing loved antiquity and was broadly learned, he was ill suited to the times. There was chief clerk Hua Huan, who for years managed Secretariat registers and was intimate with eunuch Liu Guangqi, who controlled confidential affairs. When chief ministers discussed affairs, if their views differed from Guangqi's, Huan would convey Guangqi's intent, and their wishes were never denied. Chief ministers Du You and Zheng Yin both indulged him. Critics said You privately called him "Hua Eight"; gifts from all quarters filled his gate, and his younger brother Yong rose to prefect. When Yuqing again entered the Secretariat, he met with colleagues to deliberate. Huan pointed out rights and wrongs; Yuqing, angered by his presumption, rebuked him. Soon afterward Yuqing was removed as chief minister and made guardian of the heir apparent. In the eighth month of that year Huan's corruption was exposed and he was sentenced to death. The emperor gradually heard of Yuqing's rebuke of Huan and greatly respected him; he was therefore made grand director of the Directorate of Education and soon appointed metropolitan governor of Henan. In year 3 he was appointed acting minister of war and concurrently eastern capital regent. In the fourth month of year 6 he was formally appointed minister of war.
16
餘慶再為相，罷免皆非大過，尤以清儉為時所稱。 洎中外踐更，郁為耆德，朝廷得失，言成準的。 時京兆尹元義方、戶部侍郎判度支盧坦，皆以勛官前任至三品，據令合立門戟，各請戟立於其第。 時義方以加上柱國、坦以前任宣州觀察使請戟。 近代立戟者，率有銀青階，而義方只據勛官，有司不詳覆而給之，議者非之，臺司將劾而未果。 會餘慶自東都來，發論大以為不可。 由是，臺司移牒詰禮部，左司郎中陸則、禮部員外崔備皆罰俸，奪元、盧之門戟。
Yuqing twice served as chief minister; his dismissals were never for grave faults, and he was especially praised for purity and frugality. As men within and outside the court rose and fell, he became an elder statesman whose words on the court's gains and losses set the standard. At the time Metropolitan Governor Yuan Yifang and Vice Minister of Revenue Lu Tan, who headed the treasury, were meritorious officials whose previous posts had reached third rank; by regulation they were entitled to halberds at their gates, and each requested them. Yifang relied on his honorary title of pillar of state; Tan relied on his former post as military commissioner of Xuanzhou. In recent times those who set up halberds generally also held silver-and-cyan rank, but Yifang relied only on meritorious rank; the responsible office granted halberds without careful review; critics disapproved, and the censorate was about to impeach but did not follow through. When Yuqing came from the eastern capital, he spoke out strongly that this could not be allowed. Thereupon the censorate sent a dispatch questioning the Ministry of Rites; Left Bureau Director Lu Ze and Supernumerary Clerk Cui Bei were both fined salary, and Yuan and Lu had their gate halberds removed.
17
餘慶受詔撰《惠昭太子哀冊》，其辭甚工。 有醫工崔環，自淮南小將為黃州司馬。 敕至南省，餘慶執之封還，以為諸道散將無故授正員五品官，是開僥幸之路，且無闕可供。 言或過理，由是稍忤時權，改太子少傅，兼判太常卿事。 初德宗自山南還宮，關輔有懷光、吐蕃之虞，都下驚憂，遂詔太常集樂去大鼓。 至是，餘慶始奏復用大鼓。
Yuqing received an edict to compose the Lament for the Heir Apparent Huizhao; the text was highly accomplished. There was medical artisan Cui Huan, who rose from a minor officer in Huainan to assistant prefect of Huangzhou. When the edict reached the Secretariat, Yuqing held it and returned it sealed, arguing that appointing scattered circuit officers without cause to regular fifth-rank posts opened a path of improper favor and there were no vacancies to fill. His words sometimes exceeded reason, and for this he gradually offended those in power; he was made junior guardian of the heir apparent and concurrently given charge of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Earlier, when Dezong returned from Shannan, there were fears of Huai Guang and the Tibetans in the capital region; the capital was alarmed, and an edict ordered the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to assemble music but remove the great drums. By now Yuqing memorialized to restore the use of great drums.
18
九年，拜檢校右僕射，兼興元尹，充山南西道節度觀察使，三歲受代。
In year 9 he was appointed acting right vice director of the Secretariat, concurrently metropolitan governor of Xingyuan, and military commissioner of Shannan West Circuit; after three years he was replaced.
19
十二年，除太子少師。 尋以年及懸車，請致仕，詔不許。 時累有恩赦敘階，及天子親謁郊廟，行事官等皆得以恩授三品五品，不復計考，其使府賓吏，又以軍功借賜命服而後入拜者十八九。 由是，在朝衣綠者甚少，郎官諫官有被紫垂金者。 又丞郎中謝洎郎官出使，多賜章服，以示加恩。 於是寵章尤濫，當時不以服章為貴，遂詔餘慶詳格令，立制條，奏以聞。
In year 12 he was appointed junior preceptor of the heir apparent. Soon, having reached the age for retirement, he requested to withdraw, but the throne did not permit it. At the time repeated amnesties restored ranks, and when the Son of Heaven personally visited the suburban altars, officiating officials could receive third- or fifth-rank grants by favor without examination; commissioners' staff also borrowed military merit to obtain court robes before audience—eight or nine in ten did so. Therefore few at court still wore green; remonstrance officials and bureau directors sometimes wore purple with gold ornaments. Moreover, when vice directors and directors went out on mission, they were often granted patterned robes to show added favor. Thus insignia became especially excessive; patterned robes were no longer prized, and an edict ordered Yuqing to examine the regulations, establish rules, and memorialize for approval.
20
十三年，拜尚書左僕射。 自兵興以來，處左右端揆之位者多非其人，及餘慶以名臣居之，人情美洽。 憲宗以餘慶諳練典章，朝廷禮樂制度有乖故事，專委餘慶參酌施行，遂用為詳定使。 余慶復奏刑部侍郎韓愈、禮部侍郎李程為副使，左司郎中崔郾、吏部郎中陳珮、刑部員外郎楊嗣復、禮部員外郎庾敬休，並充詳定判官。 朝廷儀制、吉兇五禮，鹹有損益焉。 改鳳翔尹、鳳翔隴節度使。
In year 13 he was appointed left vice director of the Secretariat. Since military troubles began, many who held the chief minister posts were unfit; when Yuqing, a renowned minister, occupied the post, public sentiment was pleased. Because Yuqing was versed in canonical regulations and court ritual often diverged from precedent, Xianzong entrusted him to consult and implement them and appointed him commissioner of detailed regulations. Yuqing memorialized that Vice Minister of Justice Han Yu and Vice Minister of Rites Li Cheng serve as deputy commissioners, with Cui Yan, Chen Pei, Yang Sifu, and Yu Jingxiu as administrative judges. Court ceremonial systems and the five rites of fortune and misfortune all underwent revision. He was changed to metropolitan governor of Fengxiang and military commissioner of Fengxiang Long Circuit.
21
十四年，兼太子少師、檢校司空，封滎陽郡公，兼判國子祭酒事。 以太學荒毀日久，生徒不振，奏率文官俸給修兩京國子監。
In year 14 he was concurrently junior preceptor of the heir apparent, acting minister of works, enfeoffed as Duke of Xingyang, and concurrently given charge of the Directorate of Education. Because the Imperial Academy had long lain in ruins and students were inactive, he memorialized that civil officials' salaries be used to repair the Directorate of Education in the two capitals.
22
及穆宗登極，以師傅之舊，進位檢校司徒，優禮甚至。 元和十五年十一月卒，詔曰：「故金紫光祿大夫、檢校司徒、兼太子少師、上柱國、滎陽郡開國公、食邑二千戶鄭餘慶，始以衣冠禮樂，行於山東，餘力文章，遂成誌學。 出入清近，盈五十年。 再秉臺衡，屢分戎律。 凡所要職，無不踐更。 貴而能貧，卑以自牧。 謇諤聞於臺閣，柔睦化於閨門。 受命有考父之恭，待士比公孫之廣。 焚書逸禮，盡可口傳； 古史舊章，如因心匠。 朕方咨稟，庶罔昏逾。 神將祝予，痛悼何及！ 乞言既阻，赗禮宜優，可贈太保。」 時年七十五，謚曰貞。
When Muzong ascended the throne, because of his old ties as tutor, Yuqing was promoted to acting minister of works with exceptional courtesy. In the eleventh month of Yuanhe 15 the edict read: "The late Grand Master of the Palace with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, Acting Minister of Works, Concurrently Junior Preceptor of the Heir Apparent, Pillar of State, Duke of Xingyang with a fief of two thousand households, Zheng Yuqing—he first carried ritual and music through Shandong; with his remaining strength in letters he completed his scholarly resolve. He moved in and out of close imperial service for fully fifty years. Twice he held the scales of government; repeatedly he shared in military command. Every important office in turn he held without exception. Noble yet able to live poor, humble yet self-restrained. His forthright remonstrance was heard at court; gentleness and harmony transformed his household. In receiving orders he had the reverence of Kaofu; in treating scholars he had the breadth of Gongsun. Burned books and lost rites he could transmit by word of mouth; ancient histories and old regulations he handled as if shaped by the mind alone. I was just consulting him, hoping to avoid confusion and error. The spirits will aid me—how can grief reach its limit! His counsel is now blocked; funeral gifts should be generous—he may be posthumously awarded Grand Mentor. He was then seventy-five; his posthumous title was Upright.
23
餘慶砥名礪行，不失儒者之道； 清儉率素，終始不渝。 四朝居將相之任，出入垂五十年，祿賜所得，分給親黨，其家頗類寒素。 自至德已來，方鎮除授，必遣中使領旌節就第宣賜，皆厚以金帛遣之。 求媚者唯恐其數不廣，故王人一來，有獲錢數百萬者。 餘慶每受方任，天子必誡其使曰：「餘慶家貧，不得妄有求取。」 專欲振起儒教，後生謁見者，率以經學諷之。 而周其所急，理家理身，極其儉薄。 及修官政，則喜開廣。 鎮岐下一歲，戎事可觀。 又創立儒宮以來，學者雖行己可學，而往往近於沽激，故當時議者不全德許之。 上以家素清貧，不辦喪事，宜令所司特給一月俸料，以充賻贈，用示哀榮。 有文集、表疏、碑誌、詩賦共五十卷行於世。
Yuqing polished his name and honed his conduct, never departing from the way of the scholar; pure and frugal in plain simplicity, from first to last without change. Across four reigns he held the posts of general and chief minister for nearly fifty years; salary and gifts he distributed to kin, and his household resembled that of the poor and plain. Since the Zhide reign, when frontier commanders were appointed, the court always sent a palace envoy bearing insignia to their residences to proclaim the appointment, richly rewarded with gold and silk. Those who sought favor feared the sum was not large enough; a single envoy's visit could bring several million in cash. Whenever Yuqing received a regional appointment, the Son of Heaven would warn the envoy: "Yuqing's household is poor; you must not presume to seek anything from him. He was bent on reviving Confucian teaching; younger men who called on him were generally admonished with classical learning. Yet he attended to their urgent needs; in managing household and person he was extremely sparing. When administering official affairs he delighted in openness and breadth. Governing Fengxiang for one year, military affairs were commendable. Since he founded the Confucian academy, although scholars could model his conduct, they often approached empty moral display; therefore critics did not fully approve his virtue. Because his household had long been poor and could not afford funeral arrangements, the responsible offices were ordered to grant one month's salary as funeral gifts to show mourning and honor. His collected writings, memorials, inscriptions, dirges, and poetry totaling fifty juan circulated in the world.
24
兄承慶，官不顯。 弟膺甫，官至主客員外郎中、楚懷鄭三州刺史。 次弟具瞻、羽客、時然，皆官至縣令賓佐。 餘慶子澣。
His elder brother Chengqing did not attain prominent office. His younger brother Yingfu rose to supernumerary clerk in the Ministry of Rites and served as prefect of Chu, Huai, and Zheng. His younger brothers Juzhan, Yuke, and Shiran all rose to county magistrate or staff aide. Yuqing's son was Huan.
25
澣本名涵，以文宗籓邸時名同，改名澣。 貞元十年舉進士。 以父謫官，累年不任。 自秘書省校書郎遷洛陽尉，充集賢院修撰。 改長安尉、集賢校理。 轉太常寺主簿，職仍故。 遷太常博士，改右補闕。 獻疏切直，人為危之。 及餘慶入朝，憲宗謂餘慶曰：「卿之令子，朕之直臣，可更相賀。」 遂遷起居舍人，改考功員外郎。 刺史有驅迫人吏上言政績，請刊石紀政者，瀚探得其情，條責廉使，巧跡遂露，人服其敏識。 時餘慶為僕射，請改省郎。 乃換國子博士、史館修撰。 丁母憂，除喪，拜考功郎中。 復丁內艱，終制，退居汜上。 長慶中，征為司封郎中、史館修撰，累遷中書舍人。
Huan's original name was Han; because it matched Wenzong's name when he was heir apparent, he was renamed Huan. In Zhenyuan year 10 he passed the jinshi examination. Because his father had been demoted, he held no office for many years. From collator in the Secretariat he became Luoyang assistant and compiler at the Hall of Assembled Worthies. He became Chang'an assistant and collator at the Hall of Assembled Worthies. He was transferred to registrar in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices while retaining his former duties. He was promoted to erudite in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and made right remonstrance official. His memorial was incisive and direct; people feared for his safety. When Yuqing entered court, Xianzong told him, "Your worthy son is my upright minister—you may congratulate each other. He was therefore promoted to recorder of the emperor's actions and made supernumerary clerk in the Ministry of Personnel. When a prefect drove clerks to memorialize his achievements and sought to have his governance carved in stone, Huan investigated, exposed the fraud to the integrity commissioner, and won admiration for his keen discernment. At the time Yuqing was vice director of the Secretariat and asked that his son be transferred to another bureau post. He was exchanged for erudite in the Directorate of Education and compiler at the History Office. After mourning his mother he was appointed director in the Ministry of Personnel. He mourned again; when mourning ended he retired to the Si River region. In Changqing he was summoned as director in the Ministry of Revenue and History Office compiler, and rose to drafting secretary in the Secretariat.
26
文宗登極，擢為翰林侍講學士。 上命撰《經史要錄》二十卷。 書成，上喜其精博，因摘所上書語類。 上親自發問，瀚應對無滯，錫以金紫。 太和二年，遷禮部侍郎。 典貢舉二年，選拔造秀，時號得人。 轉兵部侍郎，改吏部，出為河南尹，皆著能名。 入為左丞，旋拜刑部尚書，兼判左丞事。 出為山南西道節度觀察使，檢校戶部尚書、興元尹、兼御史大夫。 餘慶之鎮興元，創立儒宮，開設學館，至澣之來，復繼前美。 開成四年閏正月，以戶部尚書徵。 詔下之日，卒於興元，年六十四，贈右僕射，謚曰宣。 有文集、制誥共三十卷，行於世。 澣四子：允謨、茂諶、處誨、從讜。
When Wenzong ascended the throne, Huan was promoted to Hanlin attendant and lecturer. The emperor ordered him to compile the Essential Records of the Classics and Histories in twenty juan. When the book was completed the emperor was pleased with its breadth and precision and drew categories from Huan's own memorial language. The emperor questioned him in person; Huan answered without hesitation and was granted the gold-and-purple insignia. In Taihe year 2 he was promoted to vice minister of rites. For two years he presided over the examinations and selected outstanding talent; at the time he was praised for finding the right men. He became vice minister of war, then personnel, then metropolitan governor of Henan—each post won him a reputation for ability. He entered as left vice director, soon became minister of justice, and concurrently handled left vice director affairs. He was sent out as military commissioner of Shannan West Circuit, acting minister of revenue, metropolitan governor of Xingyuan, and concurrently censor-in-chief. When Yuqing governed Xingyuan he founded a Confucian academy; when Huan came he continued that work. In the intercalary first month of Kaicheng year 4 he was summoned as minister of revenue. On the day the edict was issued he died at Xingyuan, aged sixty-four; he was posthumously made right vice director of the Secretariat with the posthumous title Accomplished. His collected writings and drafted edicts totaling thirty juan circulated in the world. Huan had four sons: Yunmo, Maochen, Chuhui, and Congzan.
27
允謨，以廕累官臺省，歷蜀、彭、濠、晉四州刺史，位終太子右庶子。
Yunmo, through yin privilege, rose in the censorate, served as prefect of Shu, Peng, Hao, and Jin, and ended as right guardian of the heir apparent.
28
茂諶，避國諱改茂休，開成二年登進士第，四遷太常博士、兵部員外郎、吏部郎中、絳州刺史，位終秘書監。
Maochen, avoiding the dynastic taboo, changed his name to Maoxiu; in Kaicheng year 2 he passed the jinshi examination, rose through four promotions to erudite, war and personnel posts, and prefect of Jiang, and ended as director of the Secretariat.
29
處誨，字延美，於昆仲間文章拔秀，早為士友所推。 太和八年登進士第。 釋褐秘府，轉監察、拾遺、尚書郎、給事中。 累遷工部、刑部侍郎，出為越州刺史、浙東觀察使、檢校刑部尚書、汴州刺史、宣武軍節度觀察等使，卒於汴。 處誨族父朗。 初朗為定州節度使時，處誨為工部侍郎，因早朝假寐於待漏院，忽夢己為浙東觀察使，經過汴州，而朗為汴帥，留連飲餞，仰視屋棟，飾以黃土，賓從皆所識。 明年，朗果自定州鎮宣武，辟韋重掌書記。 重將行，處誨告以所夢。 明年，處誨轉刑部侍郎。 其年秋，授浙東觀察使。 行及潼關，朗遣從事迎勞，仍致手書，令先疏所夢。 比至汴，宴於清暑亭，賓佐悉符夢中。 朗仰視屋棟曰：「此亦黃土也。」 四座感嘆移時。 後五年，朗卒，處誨繼為汴州節度使，乃賦詩一章，刻於廳事，以盡思朗之悲。 處誨方雅好古，且勤於著述，撰集至多。 為校書郎時，撰次《明皇雜錄》三篇，行於世。
Chuhui, whose courtesy name was Yanmei, stood out among his brothers in letters and was early esteemed by scholar-friends. In Taihe year 8 he passed the jinshi examination. On leaving office he served in the Secretariat, then as investigating censor, remonstrance official, bureau director, and drafting reviewer. He rose to vice minister of works and justice, served as prefect of Yue and Zhedong commissioner, acting minister of justice, and Xuanwu military commissioner, and died at Bian. Chuhui's paternal clansman was Lang. When Lang was military commissioner of Dingzhou and Chuhui was vice minister of works, during early court Chuhui dozed in the waiting hall and dreamed he was Zhedong commissioner; passing Bian he found Lang as Bian commissioner, who feasted him; the roof beams were decorated with yellow earth and all guests were familiar faces. The next year Lang moved from Dingzhou to govern Xuanwu and summoned Wei Chong as chief secretary. When Chong was about to depart, Chuhui told him of the dream. The next year Chuhui was transferred to vice minister of justice. That autumn he was appointed observation commissioner of Zhedong. At Tong Pass, Lang sent staff to welcome him and a personal letter asking him to write out the dream first. At Bian they feasted at the Pavilion of Clear Summer; guests and aides all matched the dream. Lang looked up at the roof beams and said, "This too is yellow earth. The whole company sighed for a long time. Five years later Lang died; Chuhui succeeded him as Bianzhou military commissioner and carved a poem in the hall to express his grief for Lang. Chuhui was refined, loved antiquity, and wrote diligently; his compilations were extremely numerous. As collator he compiled the Miscellaneous Records of Emperor Ming in three sections, which circulated in the world.
30
從讜，字正求，會昌二年登進士第，釋褐秘書省校書郎，歷拾遺、補闕、尚書郎、知制誥。 故相令狐綯、魏扶，皆父貢舉門生，為之延譽，尋遷中書舍人。 咸通三年，知貢舉，拜禮部侍郎，轉刑部，改吏部侍郎。 典選平允，時無屈人。 垂將作輔，以權臣請托不行，改檢校刑部尚書、太原尹、北都留守、河東節度觀察等使。 逾年，乞還，不允，改檢校兵部尚書、汴州刺史、宣武軍節度觀察等使。 期年報政，美聲流聞。 當途者懼其大用，改廣州刺史、嶺南節度使。
Congzan, whose courtesy name was Zhengqiu, passed the jinshi in Huichang year 2, served as Secretariat collator, and rose through remonstrance posts, bureau director, and edict drafter. Former chief ministers Linghu Tao and Wei Fu had been his father's examination protégés and praised him; he soon rose to drafting secretary. In Xiantong year 3 he presided over examinations, became vice minister of rites, then justice, then personnel. His conduct of selection was fair; at the time no one was wronged. About to become chief minister, he refused powerful ministers' requests and was sent out as acting minister of justice, Taiyuan governor, northern capital regent, and Hedong military commissioner. After more than a year he begged to return; when refused he was made acting minister of war, Bian prefect, and Xuanwu military commissioner. Within a year his governance won praise and his reputation spread. Those in power feared his advancement and transferred him to Guang prefect and Lingnan military commissioner.
31
五管為南詔蠻所擾，天下征兵，時有龐勛之亂，不暇邊事。 從讜在鎮，北兵寡弱，夷獠棼然，乃擇其土豪，授之右職，禦侮扞城，皆得其效。 雖郡邑屢陷，而交、廣晏然。 俄而懿宗厭代，從讜以久在番禺，不樂風土，思歸戀闕，形於賦詠，累上章求為分司散秩。 僖宗征還，用為刑部尚書。 尋以本官同平章事。
The Five Circuits were harassed by Nanzhao; the empire raised troops, and the Pang Xun rebellion left border affairs unattended. Congzan's northern troops were few and tribes turbulent; he selected local strongmen, gave them honorary posts, and achieved effective defense. Although many prefectures fell, Jiaozhi and Guangzhou remained tranquil. Before long Yizong died; Congzan, long at Panyu, disliked the climate, yearned for court, expressed this in verse, and repeatedly sought a nominal capital post. Xizong recalled him and made him minister of justice. Soon he became chief councilor while retaining that office.
32
乾符中，盜起河南，天下騷動。 陰山府沙陀都督李國昌部族方強，虎視北邊。 屬靈州防禦使段文楚軍儲不繼，郡兵乏食，乃密引沙陀部攻城，殺文楚，遂據振武軍雲、朔等州。 又令其子克章、克用大合諸部，南侵忻、代。 前帥竇瀚、李侃、李蔚相繼以重臣鎮並部，皆不能遏。 俄而康傳圭為三軍所殺，軍士益驕，矜功責賞，勸為噪聚。 加以河南、河北七道兵帥，雲合都下，人不聊生，沙陀連陷城邑，朝廷難於擇帥。 僖宗欲以宰臣臨制之，詔曰：「開府儀同三司、門下侍郎、兼兵部尚書、充太清宮使、弘文館大學士、延資庫使、上柱國、滎陽郡開國公、食邑二千戶鄭從讜：自處鈞衡，屢來麟鳳，才高應變，動必研機。 朕以北門興王故地，以爾嘗施惠化，尚有去思。 方當用武之時，暫輟調元之職，佇殲兇醜，副我憂勤。 可檢校司空、司平章事、太原尹、北都留守、河東節度，兼行營招討等使。」 制下，許自擇參佐。 乃奏長安令王調為副使，兵部員外郎、史館修撰劉崇龜為節度判官，前司勛員外郎、史館修撰趙崇為觀察判官，前進士劉崇魯充推官，前左拾遺李渥充掌書記，前長安尉崔澤充支使。 開幕之盛，冠於一時。 時中朝瞻望者，目太原為「小朝廷」，言名人之多也。 時新承軍亂之後，殺掠攻剽，無日無之。
In the Qianfu reign bandits rose in Henan and the empire was thrown into turmoil. Li Guochang's Shatuo tribes of the Yinshan Defense Command were strong and eyed the northern border like tigers. Duan Wenchu of Lingzhou could not supply stores and troops lacked food; he secretly led Shatuo to attack the city, killed Wenchu, and occupied Zhenwu and Yun and Shuo. He ordered sons Kezhang and Keyong to gather tribes and invade south into Xin and Dai. Former commissioners Dou Han, Li Kan, and Li Wei, though important ministers governing Bing, could not restrain them. Before long Kang Chuanui was killed by the armies; soldiers grew arrogant, demanded rewards, and urged riot. Henan and Hebei commissioners gathered at the capital; people could not live, Shatuo captured cities, and the court could not choose a commander. Xizong wished a chief minister to command in person; the edict praised Congzan's talent and readiness to meet change. The northern gate is the old land where kings arose; because you once governed there with benevolence, the people still remember you. Now at a time of force I temporarily set aside your role as harmonizer, waiting until enemies are destroyed to answer my anxious toil. Appoint him acting minister of works, chief councilor, Taiyuan governor, northern capital regent, Hedong military commissioner, and campaign commander. When the edict was issued he was permitted to choose his own staff. He chose Wang Tiao as deputy, Liu Chonggui and Zhao Chong as administrative judges, Liu Chonglu as investigating officer, Li Wo as chief secretary, and Cui Ze as disbursement officer. The opening of his staff was the grandest of the age. Court watchers called Taiyuan the "little imperial court" for its many famous men. Newly after military disorder, killing and plunder occurred daily.
33
從讜貌溫而氣勁，沈機善斷，奸無遁情。 凡兇謀盜發，無不落其彀中，以是群豪惕息。 舊府城都虞候張彥球者，前帥令率兵三千逐沙陀於百井，中路而還，縱兵破鑰，殺故帥康傳圭。 及從讜至，搜索其魁誅之。 知彥球意善，有方略，召之開喻，坦然無疑，悉以兵柄委之。
Congzan looked mild but was forceful in spirit, deep and decisive; treachery could not escape him. Every plot or theft fell into his snare, and the powerful were subdued. Metropolitan guard Zhang Yanqiu had been ordered to pursue Shatuo at Baijing; halfway he returned, let troops break locks, and killed commissioner Kang Chuanui. When Congzan arrived he found the ringleaders and executed them. Knowing Yanqiu meant well and had strategy, Congzan summoned him, spoke openly, and entrusted all military authority to him.
34
廣明初，李鈞、李涿繼率本道之師出雁門，為沙陀所敗。 十二月，黃巢犯長安，僖宗出幸。 傳詔謂從讜曰：「卿誌安封域，權總戎麾，夷夏具瞻，社稷全賴。 今月五日，草賊黃巢奔沖； 十六日，駐蹕梁、漢。 上慚九廟，下愧萬方。 籓閫乍聞，痛憤應切。 專差供奉官劉全及往彼慰喻。 卿宜差點本道兵士，酌量多少，付北面副招討使諸葛爽，俾令入援。」 從讜承詔雪涕，團結戎伍，遣牙將論安、後院軍使硃玫率步騎五千，從諸葛爽入關赴難。 時中和元年五月也。
At the beginning of Guangming, Li Jun and Li Zhuo led circuit troops through Yanmen and were defeated by Shatuo. In the twelfth month Huang Chao attacked Chang'an and Xizong fled. The transmitted edict told Congzan the altars of state wholly relied on him. On the fifth of this month the bandit Huang Chao rushed the palace; on the sixteenth the imperial carriage halted at Liang and Han. Above I shame the nine temples; below I shame the myriad regions. When the frontier first heard, pain and indignation should be acute. I dispatch palace attendant Liu Quanji to comfort you. Dispatch appropriate numbers of this circuit's troops to Zhuge Shuang for aid. Congzan wept, gathered troops, and sent Lun An and Zhu Mei with five thousand men to follow Zhuge Shuang into the passes. It was the fifth month of Zhonghe year 1.
35
論安軍次離石。 是月，沙陀李克用軍奄至，營於汾東，稱奉詔赴難入關。 從讜具廩餼犒勞，信宿不發。 克用傅城而呼曰：「本軍將南下，欲與相公面言。」 從讜登城謂之曰：「僕射父子，咸通以來，舊激忠義，血戰為國，天下之人受賜。 老夫歷事累朝，位忝將相，今日群盜擾攘，輿駕奔播，蕩覆神州，不能荷戈討賊，以酬聖獎，老夫之罪也。 然多難圖勛，是僕射立功立事之時也。 所恨受命守籓，不敢辱命，無以仰陪戎棨。 若僕射終以君親為念，破賊之後，車駕還宮，卻得待罪闕庭，是所願也。 唯僕射自愛。」 克用拜謝而去。 然雜虜不戢，肆掠近甸。 從讜遣大將王蟾、薛威出師追擊之。 翌日，契苾部救兵至，沙陀大敗而還。
Lun An's army halted at Lishi. That month Li Keyong's Shatuo army arrived and camped east of Fen, claiming an edict to relieve the crisis and enter the passes. Congzan supplied grain and provisions to reward them, but after two nights they still did not depart. Keyong approached the wall and called, "This army is going south and wishes to speak with the chief minister face to face. Congzan ascended the wall and said, "Vice Commissioner, father and son—from Xiantong you have fought in blood for the state; the realm has received your bounty. I have served many reigns as general and chief minister. Today bandits disturb the realm and the throne flees; I cannot bear arms to punish rebels—that is my crime. Yet in many difficulties merit is hard to achieve—this is your time to establish merit. I regret that having received orders to guard the frontier I dare not dishonor the mandate and cannot accompany your banners. If you keep lord and parent in mind, after the bandits are broken and the throne returns I may yet await punishment at court—that is my wish. Only take care of yourself, Vice Commissioner." Keyong bowed in thanks and departed. Yet the mixed barbarians were unrestrained and plundered the nearby suburbs. Congzan dispatched generals Wang Chan and Xue Wei to pursue them. The next day Qibi relief troops arrived and the Shatuo suffered a great defeat and retreated.
36
初，論安率師入關，至陰地，以數百卒擅歸，從讜集諸部校斬之於鞠場，並以兵眾付硃玫赴難。 時鄭畋亦以宰相鎮鳳翔，與從讜宗人，同年登進士。 畋亦舉兵岐下，以遏賊巢。 廣明首唱仗義，斷賊首尾，逆徒名為「二鄭」。 國威復振，二儒帥之功也。
When Lun An reached Yindi, several hundred soldiers returned without authorization; Congzan executed them in the drill ground and sent the troops with Zhu Mei to relieve the crisis. Zheng Tian also served as chief minister while governing Fengxiang; he was Congzan's clansman and had passed the jinshi in the same year. Tian also raised troops in Qi to block Huang Chao. At Guangming's start they first raised righteous arms and severed the bandits' head and tail; rebels called them the "Two Zhengs." National prestige revived—the achievement of two scholar-commanders.
37
二年十一月，代北監軍使陳景思奉詔赦沙陀部，許討賊自贖。 由是沙陀五部數萬人南下，不敢蹈境。 乃自嵐、石沿河而南，唯李克用以數百騎臨城敘別。 從讜遺之名馬、器幣而訣。 三年，克用破賊立功，授河東節度代從讜。 還至榆次，遣使致禮，謂從讜曰：「予家尊在雁門，且還覲省。 相公徐治行裝，勿遽首途。」 從讜承詔，即日牒監軍使周從寓請知兵馬留後事。 書記劉崇魯知觀察留後事，戒之曰：「俟面李公，按籍而還。」
In the eleventh month of year 2 Chen Jingsi received an edict to pardon the Shatuo and permit them to redeem themselves by fighting bandits. Tens of thousands of the five Shatuo divisions went south but did not dare tread on Congzan's territory. They went south from Lan and Shi along the river; only Li Keyong with several hundred cavalry came to bid farewell. Congzan gave him famous horses and gifts in parting. In year 3 Keyong achieved merit and was appointed Hedong military commissioner in Congzan's place. Returning to Yuci he sent envoys saying, "My father is at Yanmen and I must return to visit him. The chief minister may slowly prepare his baggage; do not hurry on the road. Congzan received the edict and that day asked military commissioner Zhou Congyu to handle military affairs as acting commissioner. Chief secretary Liu Chonglu handled observation affairs and admonished him to wait until facing Lord Li and returning according to registers.
38
五月十五日，從讜離太原。 時京城雖復，車駕未還，道途多寇。 行次絳州，唐彥謙為刺史，留駐數月。 冬，詔使追赴行在，復輔政，歷司空、司徒，正拜侍中。 光啟末，固辭機務，以疾還第。 卒。 有司謚曰文忠。
On the fifteenth day of the fifth month Congzan left Taiyuan. Although the capital had been recovered, the throne had not returned and bandits were many on the roads. Stopping at Jiangzhou, where Tang Yanzhi was prefect, he was detained for several months. In winter an edict envoy summoned him to the imperial camp; he again served as chief minister, rose through minister of works and grand mentor, and was formally appointed palace attendant. At the end of Guangqi he declined critical affairs and returned home because of illness. He died. The responsible offices gave the posthumous title Literary and Loyal.
39
從讜知人善任，性不驕矜，故所至有聲績。 在太原時，大將張彥球強傑難制，前後帥守以疑間貽釁，故軍旅不寧。 及從讜撫封四年，知其才用可委，開懷任遇，得其死力。 故抗虜全城，多彥球之效也。 累奏為行軍司馬。 及再秉政，用為金吾將軍，累郡刺史。 在絳州時，彥謙判官陸扆嗜學有才思，寓於郡齋，日與之談宴，無間先後。 乃稱之於朝，位至清顯。 在汴時，以兄處誨嘗為鎮帥，歿於是郡，訖一政受代，不於公署舉樂，其友悌知禮，操履如此。 國之名臣，文忠有焉。
Congzan knew men and employed them well; he was not arrogant, and wherever he went he won reputation and achievement. At Taiyuan Zhang Yanqiu was fierce and hard to control; former commissioners used suspicion to create trouble and the army was unsettled. When Congzan governed for four years he knew Yanqiu's talent could be entrusted; he employed him openly and won his utmost loyalty. Therefore in resisting barbarians and preserving the city much was Yanqiu's doing. He repeatedly memorialized that Yanqiu be made campaign administrative aide. When he again held government he used Yanqiu as general of the imperial guards and as prefect of commanderies. At Jiangzhou, Yanzhi's aide Lu Yi loved learning; he lodged in the offices and daily talked with Congzan without regard to precedence. Congzan praised him at court and he rose to eminent office. At Bian, because his brother Chuhui had governed and died there, through his whole tenure he never had music in the public offices—such was his fraternal duty. Among the state's renowned ministers, Literary and Loyal was one.
40
韋貫之，本名純，以憲宗廟諱，遂以字稱。 八代祖夐，仕周，號逍遙公。 父肇，官至吏部侍郎，有重名於時。 貫之即其第二子。 少舉進士。 貞元初，登賢良科，授校書郎。 秩滿，從調判入等，再轉長安縣丞。
Wei Guanzhi's original name was Chun; because of the taboo on Xianzong's temple name he was known by his courtesy name. His eighth-generation ancestor Jiong served Zhou and was called the Free-and-Easy Duke. His father Zhao rose to vice minister of personnel and had a heavy reputation in his age. Guanzhi was his second son. In youth he passed the jinshi examination. Early in Zhenyuan he passed the erudite examination and was appointed collator. When his term ended he was judged top class in transfer and became assistant magistrate of Chang'an.
41
德宗末年，京兆尹李實權移宰相，言其可否，必數日而詔行。 人有以貫之名薦於實者，答曰：「是其人居與吾同里，亟聞其賢，但吾得識其面而進於上。」 舉笏示說者曰：「實已記其名氏矣。」 說者喜，驟以其語告於貫之，且曰：「子今日詣實而明日受賀矣。」 貫之唯唯，數歲終不往，然是後竟不遷。
In Dezong's last years Metropolitan Governor Li Shi shifted power to chief ministers; approval or disapproval brought an edict within days. Someone recommended Guanzhi to Shi, who said, "He lives in my ward; I have often heard of his worth, but I need only know his face to advance him. He raised his tablet and said, "Shi has already recorded his name." The recommender told Guanzhi and said, "Visit Shi today and you will be congratulated tomorrow." Guanzhi assented vaguely; for years he never went and was never promoted.
42
永貞中，始除監察御史。 上書舉季弟纁自代，時議不以為私。 轉右補闕，而纁代為監察。 元和元年，杜從郁為左補闕，貫之與崔群奏論，尋降為左拾遺。 又論遺、補雖品不同，皆是諫官。 父為宰相，子為諫官，若政有得失，不可使子論父。 改為秘書丞。
In Yongzhen he was first appointed investigating censor. He memorialized recommending his younger brother Xu to replace him; opinion did not regard it as private favor. He became right remonstrance official and Xu replaced him as investigating censor. In Yuanhe year 1 Du Congyu was left remonstrance official; Guanzhi and Cui Qun memorialized and Congyu was demoted to left suppletive remonstrance official. They argued that although ranks differ, both are remonstrance officials. If the father is chief minister and the son remonstrance official, the son cannot discuss the father when government errs. Congyu was changed to secretary in the Secretariat.
43
後與中書舍人張弘靖考制策，第其名者十八人，其後多以文稱。 轉禮部員外郎。 新羅人金忠義以機巧進，至少府監，廕其子為兩館生。 貫之持其籍不與，曰：「工商之子，不當仕。」 忠義以藝通權幸，為請者非一，貫之持之愈堅。 既而疏陳忠義不宜汙朝籍，詞理懇切，竟罷去之。 改吏部員外郎。 三年，復策賢良之士，又命貫之與戶部侍郎楊於陵、左司郎中鄭敬、都官郎中李益同為考策官。 貫之奏居上第者三人，言實指切時病，不顧忌諱，雖同考策者皆難其詞直，貫之獨署其奏。 遂出為果州刺史，道中黜巴州刺史。 俄征為都官郎中、知制誥。 逾年，拜中書舍人，改禮部侍郎。 凡二年，所選士大抵抑浮華，先行實，由是趨競者稍息。 轉尚書右丞，中謝日，面賜金紫。
Later with Zhang Hongjing he examined policy candidates; eighteen ranked among the names and were later praised for letters. He was transferred to supernumerary clerk in the Ministry of Rites. The Silla man Jin Zhongyi advanced through craftiness to junior prefecture director and used yin privilege for his son as student in the two halls. Guanzhi held his register and refused, saying, "Sons of artisans and merchants ought not to hold office. Zhongyi had many plead for him through favor with the powerful, but Guanzhi held firmer still. He memorialized that Zhongyi ought not defile court registers; reasoning was earnest and Zhongyi was removed. He was changed to supernumerary clerk in the Ministry of Personnel. In year 3 the erudite examination was held again; Guanzhi, Yang Yuling, Zheng Jing, and Li Yi served as examination officers. Guanzhi memorialized three in the top tier whose words pointed at current ills without taboo; fellow examiners found them blunt but Guanzhi alone signed. He was sent out as prefect of Guo and on the road demoted the prefect of Ba. Before long he was summoned as director in the Ministry of Justice and drafter of edicts. After more than a year he was appointed drafting secretary and vice minister of rites. For two years his selections suppressed flashy display and put conduct first, and the rush for favor subsided. He became right vice director; on audience thanks day the emperor granted the gold-and-purple insignia.
44
明年，以本官同中書門下平章事。 淮西之役，鎮州盜竊發輦下，殺宰相武元衡，傷御史中丞裴度。 及度為相，二寇並征，議者以物力不可。 貫之請釋鎮以養威，攻蔡以專力。 上方急於太平，未可其奏。 貫之進言：「陛下豈不知建中之事乎？ 天下之兵，始於蔡急魏應，齊趙同惡。 德宗率天下兵，命李抱真、馬燧急攻之，物力用屈，於是硃泚乘之為亂，硃滔隨而向闕，致使梁、漢為府，奉天有行，皆陛下所聞見。 非他，不能忍待次第，速於撲滅故也。 陛下獨不能寬歲月，俟拔蔡而圖鎮邪？」 上深然之，而業已下伐鎮詔。 後滅蔡而鎮自服，如其策焉。
The next year he became chief councilor with his original office. In the Huai-Xi campaign Zhenzhou bandits entered the capital, killed Wu Yuanheng, and wounded Pei Du. When Du became chief minister both rebellions were attacked; opinion held resources could not bear it. Guanzhi requested releasing Zhen to nurture prestige and attacking Cai to concentrate force. The emperor was eager for peace and could not approve his memorial. Guanzhi said, "Does Your Majesty not know the Jianzhong events? The empire's armies began because Cai was urgent and Wei responded; Qi and Zhao joined the evil. Dezong exhausted resources in urgent attack; Zhu Ci rebelled, Zhu Tao marched on the palace, Liang and Han became headquarters and Fengtian saw an imperial progress—all Your Majesty has seen. It was because they could not wait in order and were hasty to extinguish rebellion. Can Your Majesty not grant months and wait until Cai falls before plotting against Zhen? The emperor deeply agreed, but the edict against Zhen had already been issued. Later Cai was destroyed and Zhen submitted, just as his stratagem said.
45
初，王師征蔡，以汴帥韓弘為都統，又命汝帥烏重胤、許帥李光顏合兵而進。 貫之以為諸將四面討賊，各稅進取，今若置統督，復令二帥連營，則持重養威，未可以歲月下也。 貫之議不從，四年而始克蔡。 尋遷中書侍郎。 同列以張仲素、段文昌進名為學士，貫之阻之，以行止未正，不宜在內庭。
When the army campaigned against Cai, Han Hong was supreme commander and Wu Chongyin and Li Guangyan were to combine and advance. Guanzhi held that with four-sided attack and each levying for advance, a supreme commander and joint camps would nurture prestige and delay victory beyond a year. His proposal was not followed; only after four years was Cai taken. Soon he was promoted to vice director of the Secretariat. Colleagues advanced Zhang Zhongsu and Duan Wenchang as academicians; Guanzhi blocked it as their conduct was not upright.
46
貫之為相，嚴身律下，以清流品為先，故門無雜賓。 有張宿者，有口辯，得幸於憲宗，擢為左補闕。 將使淄青，宰臣裴度欲為請章服。 貫之曰：「此人得幸，何要假其恩寵耶？」 其事遂寢。 宿深銜之，卒為所構，誣以朋黨，罷為吏部侍郎。 不涉旬，出為湖南觀察使。 弟虢州刺史纁，亦貶遠郡。 時兩河留兵，國用不足，命鹽鐵副使程異使諸道督課財賦。 異所至方鎮，皆諷令捃拾進獻。 貫之謂兩稅外，不忍橫賦加人，所獻未滿異意，遂率屬內六州留錢以繼獻。 由是罷為太子詹事，分司東都。
As chief minister Guanzhi disciplined himself and subordinates, put pure current first, and his gate had no mixed guests. There was Zhang Su, skilled in debate, who won Xianzong's favor and became left remonstrance official. He was to be sent to Ziqing; Pei Du wished to request patterned robes for him. Guanzhi said, "This man has won favor—why borrow imperial grace for him? The matter then lapsed. Su deeply resented him, framed him as factional, and Guanzhi was removed to vice minister of personnel. Within ten days he was sent out as observation commissioner of Hunan. His younger brother Xu, prefect of Guo, was also demoted to a distant commandery. Troops were retained in the two He regions and revenue was insufficient; Vice Commissioner Cheng Yi was ordered to supervise tax collection in the circuits. Wherever Yi went he admonished military commissioners to gather and present tribute. Guanzhi would not impose levies beyond the two-tax system; his presentation dissatisfied Yi, so he had six prefectures retain funds to continue tribute. He was removed to guardian of the heir apparent and a nominal post in the eastern capital.
47
上即位，擢為河南尹，征拜工部尚書。 未行，長慶元年卒於東都，年六十二，詔贈尚書右僕射。
When the emperor ascended the throne Guanzhi was made Henan governor and summoned as minister of works. Before departing, in Changqing year 1 he died at the eastern capital, aged sixty-two; an edict posthumously made him right vice director of the Secretariat.
48
貫之自布衣至貴位，居室無改易。 歷重位二十年，苞苴寶玉，不敢到門。 性沈厚寡言，與人交，終歲無款曲，未曾偽詞以悅人。 身歿之後，家無羨財。 有文集三十卷。
From commoner to exalted rank his dwelling was unchanged. For twenty years in high posts, bribes and precious jade did not come to his gate. Deep and reserved, sparing of words, he had no cordial flourishes all year and never used false words to please anyone. After his death his household had no surplus wealth. He left collected writings in thirty juan.
49
伯兄綬，德宗朝為翰林學士。 貞元之政，多參決於內署。 綬所議論，常合中道，然畏慎致傷，晚得心疾，故不極其用。
His elder brother Shou was a Hanlin academician under Dezong. In Zhenyuan's government many decisions were made in the inner secretariat. Shou's discussions often hit the middle way, yet fear and caution harmed him; heart illness in later years kept him from full use.
50
纁有精識奧學，為士林所器。 閨門之內，名教相樂。 故韋氏兄弟令稱，推於一時。 纁累官至太常少卿。
Xu had keen discernment and profound learning and was esteemed by scholars. Within the household ritual teaching brought mutual joy. Therefore the Wei brothers' good reputation stood out in their age. Xu rose to vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
51
貫之子澳、潾。
Guanzhi's sons were Ao and Lin.
52
澳，字子斐，太和六年擢進士第，又以弘詞登科。 性貞退寡欲，登第後十年不仕。 伯兄溫，與御史中丞高元裕友善。 溫請用澳為御史，謂澳曰：「高二十九持憲綱，欲與汝相面，汝必得御史。」 澳不答。 溫曰：「高君端士，汝不可輕。」 澳曰：「然恐無呈身御史。」 竟不詣元裕之門。
Ao, whose courtesy name was Zifei, passed the jinshi in Taihe year 6 and also passed the hongci examination. Upright, retiring, and with few desires, he held no office for ten years after passing the examination. His elder brother Wen was friendly with Vice Censor-in-Chief Gao Yuanyu. Wen asked to use Ao as investigating censor and said, "Gao Twenty-nine holds the censorial net and wishes to meet you—you will certainly become investigating censor. Ao did not answer. Wen said, "Lord Gao is an upright man—you must not treat him lightly. Ao said, "Yet I fear there is no investigating censor who presents himself at court." In the end he never went to Yuanyu's gate.
53
周墀鎮鄭滑，辟為從事。 墀輔政，以澳為考功員外郎、史館修撰。 墀初作相，私謂澳曰：「才小任重，何以相救？」 澳曰：「荷公重知，願公無權足矣。」 墀愕然，不喻其旨。 澳曰：「爵賞刑罰，非公共欲行者，願不以喜怒憎愛行之。 但令百司群官各舉其職，則公斂衽於廟堂之上，天下自理，何要權耶？」 墀深然之。 不周歲，以本官知制誥。 尋召充翰林學士，累遷戶部、兵部侍郎、學士承旨。 與同僚蕭寘深為宣宗所遇，每二人同直，無不召見，詢訪時事。 每有邦國刑政大事，中使傳宣草詞，澳心欲論諫，即曰：「此一事，須降禦劄，方敢施行。」 遲留至旦，必論其可否。 上旨多從之。 出為京兆尹，不避權豪，亦師璟憚。
When Zhou Chi governed Zheng and Hua he summoned Ao onto his staff. When Chi became chief minister he made Ao supernumerary clerk in the Ministry of Personnel and History Office compiler. When Chi first became chief minister he said to Ao, "My talent is small and my burden heavy—how will you save me? Ao said, "I am indebted to your trust; I wish only that you have no power—that is enough." Chi was startled and did not grasp his meaning. Ao said, "Rank, reward, punishment, and penalty are not what the public necessarily wishes; do not carry them out from personal feeling. Let every office perform its duty, then you may fold your sleeves in the temple and the realm will govern itself—why need power? Chi deeply approved. Within the year he was given charge of drafting edicts. Soon he was summoned as Hanlin academician and rose to vice minister of revenue and war and chief academician. With colleague Xiao Zhi he was deeply favored by Xuanzong; whenever both were on duty they were summoned and questioned about current affairs. When great matters arose, a palace envoy would order a draft; Ao wished to remonstrate and said, "This requires an imperial edict before it may be carried out. He delayed until dawn and invariably discussed whether it could be done. The emperor mostly followed him. As metropolitan governor he did not avoid the powerful and was feared even by great clans.
54
會判戶部宰相蕭鄴改判度支，澳於延英對。 上曰：「戶部闕判使。」 澳對以府事。 上言「戶部闕判使」者三，又曰：「卿意何如？」 澳對曰：「臣近年心力減耗，不奈繁劇，累曾陳乞一小鎮，聖慈未垂矜允。」 上默然不樂其奏。 澳甥柳玭知其對，謂澳曰：「舅之獎遇，特承聖知，延英奏對，恐未得中。」 澳曰：「吾不為時相所信，忽自宸旨委以使務，必以吾他歧得之，何以自明？ 我意不錯。 爾須知時事漸不堪，是吾徒貪爵位所致，爾宜誌之！」
When chief minister Xiao Ye changed from revenue to treasury, Ao responded at Yanying Hall. The emperor said, "The Ministry of Revenue lacks an administrative commissioner. Ao answered regarding metropolitan affairs. The emperor spoke of the lack three times and said, "What do you think?" Ao answered, "My strength has diminished and I cannot bear heavy duties; I have repeatedly begged a small commandery but have not been granted it." The emperor was silently displeased. His nephew Liu Pin said, "Your favor is special knowledge; the audience reply may not have hit the mark. Ao said, "I am not trusted; suddenly I am entrusted with envoy duties—they must think I obtained it by another path. My intent was not wrong. Know that the times are unbearable—our sort brought this on by greedy rank; record this!"
55
大中十二年，檢校工部尚書，兼孟州刺史，充河陽三城懷孟澤節度等使，辭於內殿。 上曰：「卿自求便，我不去卿。」 在河陽累年，中使王居方使魏州，令傳詔旨謂澳曰：「久別無恙，知卿奉道，得何藥術，可具居方口奏。」 澳因中使上章陳謝，又曰：「方士殊不可聽，金石有毒，切不宜服食。」 帝嘉其忠，將召之，而帝厭代。
In Dazhong year 12 he was acting minister of works, Meng prefect, and Heyang commissioner, and took leave in the inner hall. The emperor said, "You sought convenience yourself—I am not removing you. After years at Heyang, envoy Wang Jufang was to ask Ao what medicines he had obtained through the Way. Ao memorialized thanks and said, "Daoist masters must not be heeded; metal and stone are poisonous and must not be ingested." The emperor praised his loyalty and was about to summon him, but died.
56
潾亦登進士第，無位而卒。 潾子庾、庠、序、雍、郊。
Lin also passed the jinshi and died without office. Lin's sons were Yu, Xiang, Xu, Yong, and Jiao.
57
庾登進士第，累佐使府，入朝為御史，累遷兵部郎中、諫議大夫。 從僖宗幸蜀，改中書舍人，累拜刑部侍郎，判戶部事。 車駕還京，充頓遞使，至鳳翔病卒。
Yu passed the jinshi, served on commissioners' staffs, became investigating censor, and rose to war director and remonstrance official. Following Xizong to Shu he became drafting secretary and vice minister of justice heading revenue. When the throne returned he was relay commissioner and died at Fengxiang.
58
序、雍、郊皆登進士第。 序、雍官至尚書郎。 郊文學尤高，累歷清顯。 自禮部員外郎知制誥，正拜中書舍人。 昭宗末，召充翰林學士，累官戶部侍郎、學士承旨，卒。
Xu, Yong, and Jiao all passed the jinshi. Xu and Yong reached bureau director. Jiao's letters were especially lofty; he repeatedly held eminent office. From rites supernumerary clerk and edict drafter he was formally appointed drafting secretary. At the end of Zhaozong he was Hanlin academician, rose to vice minister of revenue and chief academician, and died.
59
史臣曰：二武朗拔精裁，為時羽儀，嫉惡太甚，遭罹不幸，
The historiographer says: The two Wu were outstanding standards for the age; they hated evil excessively and met misfortune,
60
倳刃喋血，誠可哀哉！ 令狐中傷，為惡滋甚，君子之行，其若是乎？ 鄭貞公博雅好古，一代儒宗。 文忠致君，無忝乃祖，衣冠之盛，近代罕儔。 韋氏三宗，世多才俊。 純、纁忠懿，為時元龜，作輔論兵，言皆體國。 澳之貞亮，不替祖風。 三代謚貞，考行無愧。
blades falling and blood spreading—truly lamentable! Linghu wounded them and the evil grew worse—is this how a gentleman acts? Duke Zhen of Zheng was broadly elegant and loved antiquity—a Confucian patriarch of his generation. Literary and Loyal served his lord without disgracing his ancestors; such glory of office has rarely been matched. Three generations of the Wei clan produced many talented men. Chun and Xu were loyal and worthy pillars of the age; as chief ministers their words all served the state. Ao's uprightness did not fall short of his ancestral manner. Three generations with the posthumous title Upright—in conduct, without shame.
61
贊曰：後族崢嶸，平一辭榮。 高風襲慶，鐘在二衡。 猗與貞公，繼以文忠。 純、纁文雅，綽有父風。
The encomium says: The empress's clan rose high; Pingyi declined honor. High wind passed down blessing; the bell tolled on the two Heng. How excellent Duke Zhen, succeeded by Literary and Loyal. Chun and Xu refined in letters, broadly having their fathers' manner.